First earlies (early boiling potatoes) -- recommendations?

[Blossomgirl]

I would like to grow a potato that doesn't fall too pieces when cooking any suggestions please?
Ta Blossy

[digitS']

I think what you are looking for is usually called a "waxy" potato. They are also referred to as "low starch" but I believe that it is more the type of starch.

The title of this thread suggests that the variety should be one that is ready in the early season. New potatoes, of almost any type, should not fall apart while cooking but a baking potato like Russet Burbank probably won't be the best choice even when harvested before maturity.

Yukon Gold has become the standard for what you are looking for. Dark Red Norland should be also. I grew Daisy Gold last year and was happy with them. Caribé might be a good choice for you, as well.

Steve

[applestar]

I've revised the title to be a bit more descriptive -- I had no idea what "First Earlies" were!

I like Yukon Gold, too in fact, my kids have gotten so used to yellow potatoes that they said white fleshed potatoes looked "strange" Yukon Gold is also great baked/roasted, but I guess doesn't get as fluffy as Russet?

I did try a red skinned/white fleshed potato last year that I also liked -- I think it was called (Red?) Sangre, but I'll have to review my notes. I'm glad you reminded me because I should order my seed potatoes now to be sure of getting the varieties I want. I want to try German Butterball again, but I think that was a later maturing variety.

I also want to grow a blue fleshed one. I grew All Blue and Adirondack Blue one year -- I think All Blue was earlier. This time, I'm thinking Viking (Blue?)....

@DigitS -- Caribe sounds like a variety I've considered (or grew) before -- I think I'll check that out if you are recommending it.

[digitS']

Blue potatoes, Purple potatoes, potato, potatoh ...

Sangre ~ maybe one shouldn't know how that translates from the Spanish ~ Red! I liked that red .

Caribe was a good variety for me but the similar Viking Purple must be about the most productive early variety that I've grown. Blue or Purple -- that isn't the one you are thinking of as a "blue fleshed." Viking has a nice, bright white flesh, AppleStar. Purple Majesty may be the potato for you ...

Steve

[rainbowgardener]

seed potatoes are way too expensive for me to buy to plant my two containers. I use grocery store potatoes sprouted. Unfortunately when I have tried buying varieties like Yukon Gold from the store, I have not been able to get them to sprout. I guess they protect the patent varieties from use as seed potatoes by treating them against sprouting.

Actually this reminds me, it is nearly time to start letting some potatoes sprout!

[!potatoes!]

i've got lots of yukons sprouting in the cupboard at the moment.

[jal_ut]

In this area the potatoes to plant are Idaho Russets and Red Pontiac. The reds are the best for small boiling potatoes.

[applestar]

Acckk! I completely forgot what we talked about in this thread and just ordered these seed potatoes today.

GoldRush - organic - 2.5 Pounds
Adirondack Red - organic - 2.5 Pounds
Sangre - organic - 2.5 Pounds

...oh but look, I did get Sangre. And a Russet type variety called Gold Rush. Decided I wasn't going to try the late varieties like German Butterball this year. They had crop failure with Purple Viking and only conventional Purple Majesty.

[rainbowgardener]

And what do you do with over 7.5 lbs of seed potatoes, applestar? You don't have fields of potatoes either!

ONE potato cuts up into enough chunks for a container. Two containers, I might use two potatoes...

[applestar]

I'm planting whatever doesn't "fit" over at my parents

I learned last year that they really need stuff that are plant and forget. They had beautiful winter squash harvest and plenty of Matt's wild cherry tomatoes. Lost the cucumbers and peas.

[digitS']

I might be able to plant & forget potatoes, AppleStar.

Well no, it depends on the bugs and the danger of the tubers pushing above the soil surface and turning green in the sunlight.

Goldrush is a real nice russet. It surprises me that the Russet Burbank still makes up over half of Idaho's spud crop. There are some exceptional choices out there. Not having to grow them commercially may influence my thinking .

Steve

[applestar]

Well, that's true, but once you get them hilled and mulched, the only bugs that I've seen on them are potato beetles and usually not too bad -- search and hand squishing is sufficient, especially if I can get the first incursion.

Good hear GoldRush is a good one -- my kids love baked potatoes.